The Celtic Fan Collective have questioned the roles of Dermot Desmond and his son Ross at Parkhead after the meeting
The Celtic Fans Collective have issued an updated list of questions they are submitting to the club following last week’s chaotic AGM. The annual meeting was cut short as fans protested against the board.
Chairman Peter Lawwell stepped in to halt proceedings following the reaction to a speech from Ross Demond on behalf of Celtic’s largest single shareholder Dermot Desmond. Celtic pointed the finger of blame at the Celtic Trust and the Green Brigade as the reason the AGM was derailed.
The club announced they would be delaying the results of their resolutions to give shareholders the chance to vote online, which were returned on Tuesday. The results of their AGM poll saw every board member voted in again with a massive majority of more than 99 per-cent of the vote.
However, two resolutions that did not to pass which had been put forward by the Celtic Trust. The first called for a review of football, financial and strategic matters over a five-year period, and the second was a vote of no confidence in the board.
The Fan Collective – who represent several groups within the Parkhead fanbase including the Trust – have revealed the questions they have put forward to the board. The role of the Hoops’ largest single shareholder Dermot Desmond has been highlighted, while the address from his son Ross was also queried.
The statement read: “Prior to the 2025 Celtic plc AGM, the corporate group within Celtic Fans Collective prepared several questions. Following the early termination of the AGM, we have today submitted some questions to Investor Relations, CEO Michael Nicholson and Company Secretary Joanne McNairn.
“Can the board please explain the ownership and governance structure of the PLC, specifically clarifying whether Dermot Desmond exercises effective control through holding 50.1% or more of the shares?
“In addition, can the board outline the capacity in which Dermot Desmond is able to undertake executive-level actions such as involvement in managerial appointments or issuing statements on behalf?
“In line with the QCA Code, can the board comprehensively outline the review process undertaken to ensure that all board members remain genuinely independent and representative of all shareholders? To assist shareholders understanding, please provide specific examples of occasions where board members have disagreed on policy or key decisions, and explain how those disagreements were resolved.
“Can the board outline the PLC’s investment policy for the first-team squad and walk shareholders through the process by which player acquisitions are undertaken using shareholder funds? In your response, please address the stages of identification, valuation, bid strategy and exit strategy?
“Additionally, can the board confirm whether this policy is benchmarked against comparable or smaller clubs operating successfully within similar financial parameters, such as FC Midtiylland or Club Brugge?
“Can the board explain the PLC’s investment policy in relation to infrastructure and the generation of shareholder value? Specifically, can the board outline the critical analysis undertaken to support its position that redevelopment of the main stand is not viable, and set out in detail why such redevelopment is considered not to enhance shareholder value?
“Additionally, can the board clarify why the Barrowfield complex does not include a grandstand?
“Further to the questions on investment policy, can the board explain the current capital structure of the PLC and set out why they believe this model represents the best approach for protecting and enhancing shareholder value?
“In what capacity was Ross Desmond permitted to address the shareholders at the AGM, given that no introduction or explanation of his role was provided?
“Can the board also confirm whether his remarks were reviewed or approved by board members prior to him speaking?”